SC Air National Guard flies exercise over state

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina Air National Guard jets are scheduled to conduct air defense exercises in the skies over Anderson, Florence and Greer.

Senior Master Sgt. Ed Snyder says Wednesday’s exercise involving jets from the 169th Fighter Wing are routine.

The F-16s may be seen escorting a single-engine aircraft belonging to the South Carolina Civil Air Patrol.

Snyder says the exercises are carefully planned and closely controlled to make sure the Guard retains combat capabilities needed in emergencies.

The South Carolina Air National Guard helps patrol the nation’s airspace to respond to any airborne threats over the United States.